Meaning
Housetop <1,,1430, doma>
akin to demo, "to build," denotes a housetop. The housetop was flat, and guarded by a low parapet wall (see Deu 22:8). It was much frequented and used for various purposes, e.g., for proclamations, Mat 10:27, Luk 12:3; for prayer, Act 10:9. The house was often built round a court, across the top of which cords were fixed from the parapet walls for supporting a covering from the heat. The housetop could be reached by stairs outside the building; the paralytic in Luk 5:19 could be let down into the court or area by rolling back the covering. External flight from the housetop in time or danger is enjoined in Mat 24:17, Mar 13:15, Luk 17:31.
